My first real fanfic, so all comments are VERY appreciated.

Nothing much mine, all Tamora Pierce.

The Baron of Pirate's Swoop paused, wine goblet halfway to his lips. A copper-haired woman was making her way over to his table, walking briskly through the crowded ballroom, her dark purple gown swishing noisily with her every movement. Replacing his goblet on the table, untouched, George turned to her as she resumed her place next to him, a smile threatening to break loose on his ruggedly handsome face.

"What is it lass, that has you so worked up?" he asked.

Alanna smiled at him. He could see the faint beginnings of lines at the corners of her eyes.

"Nothing that concerns you, Baron Snoop," she replied. George said nothing, but merely raised an eyebrow. His wife laughed.

The room was filled with countless guests; nobles, knights, scholars, and mages. The occasion of the Queen's birthday was always cause for a large banquet and ball, and this birthday was no exception. George surveyed the room, searching for the person Alanna had come from. A group of ladies moved position slightly, causing him to catch a glimpse of Raoul and Gary emerging from an antechamber of the ballroom. Gary wore a slight frown.

Alanna talking brought him back to the table.

"What was that, my love?"

"I only asked if you had seen Jon yet tonight," she said, "or have you been stuck to this table all evening for fear of getting lost?" She smirked.

"I've never been lost in my life!"

Her smirk changed into a devilish smile. "That's strange, I particularly recall a time when we were wandering around High Street in the middle of the night, with not a person in sight!"

She was getting at something, he just knew it. Her taunting smile was contagious and he felt himself beginning to grin back at her.

"No lass, I'm quite sure we were never lost in High Street, or any other street," he said.

"Oh?" she leaned over to him, her arms twining around his strong back, "Then perhaps we should be...later tonight."

George knew he was grinning now. Leaning a little closer, his lips were about to catch hers...

"Baron, Lady Knight, would you care for more wine?"

George let out an internal sigh and sat up. Glancing across at Alanna, she looked about to stick her fork into the poor boy's eye.

After the page had refilled their cups most proficiently, Alanna slid closer to her husband and wrapped her arms around his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. Her hair tickled his neck in a pleasing way.

They sat that way for awhile, simply watching the happenings around the room. The Queen was wearing a magnificent golden gown tonight, the beading catching the light as she conversed with one of her ladies. Her hair was once again in a cascade of black curls and ringlets, featuring twinkling jewelled pins, making her hair reminiscent of the night sky. At a table close to that of the monarchs, George could see a young noble—probably no more than nineteen—staring, besotted, at his Queen. George couldn't help but smile. He himself was sometimes, though he was loathe to admit it, scared to be so close to Thayet. She was beautiful, it was true, but perhaps too beautiful.

With his left hand, George managed to drain the remaining wine from his goblet. That damn page. He had drunk far too much wine. He looked down at his wife, genuinely unhappy at the thought of having to detach her from him. He sighed.

"Alanna."

"Hmm."

"Alanna." He had begun to slowly unwind her clinging arms from his own arm, when a knight approached their table. Geoffrey, he thought his name was. It was difficult to remember everyone's name with a barrel full of wine in you.

Alanna let him leave as Geoffrey took his place. Walking towards the privy, George glanced back to see the two knights talking closely, though his Alanna did not seem as cheerful as she had earlier in the evening. George pondered this as he made his way across the room, nodding at the people he knew and avoiding the gaze of some conservative old bat in an ancient black gown. He had almost reached the door which led, by way of three more rooms, to the privy, when Myles of Olau caught sight of him.

"Ah George" he said, a slight slur to his words, "not looking good, is it?"

George was caught quite unaware by this statement. His mind was elsewhere, 'elsewhere' being 'the privy'.

"What is it that's not 'looking good' Myles?"

"Why, you haven't heard?"

George shook his head. Some court scandal was what he was talking about no doubt. Myles clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Why, 'tis Tusaine, isn't it m'boy. Trouble brewing once more, I've heard. Surely you knew?" Myles' tone was serious now, his eyes focussed on George.

Tusaine? He had heard of no such trouble. Although, he hadn't received word from his man in Tusaine for...three weeks now. He frowned. Lately, he had been busy with other work, arranging agents in the Copper Isles. Perhaps he had better send someone...

"Ah George," Myles said again, "I know it's a shame. Two weeks is hardly enough time together, yet she has her duty..."

"What?" said George.

Myles smiled sadly at him. "Alanna. Patrols are being sent to Tusaine, to try and discourage conflict..."

George felt as though his insides had turned to ice.

"...but by jove, they can't do much now. It's too late for that. There'll be war, no doubts about that."

Myles clapped him on the shoulder once more, and moved away, no doubt to refill his goblet. No wonder the man was drinking.

Looking across the room, between the lords and ladies on the floor, Alanna was talking to Geoffrey at their table. Her eyes were sad, though her mouth formed a smile. She had only returned to him two days ago. He could feel the beginning of a headache, pins in his head. Across the room, Alanna's gaze turned, and found his. He could see the sadness of his eyes and heart reflected in her own purple eyes. It only made him want her more.

Well, REVIEW! Next chapter will hopefully be up soon!

electric dreams